Rise in number of July 15 babies this year

by Rokiah Mahmud

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ ANN) - Twenty babies were born on July 15 across the nation this year - an increase from last year’s figure of 14. In the Brunei-Muara District, 15 newborns were delivered at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, while two were born at Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC); three babies were born at the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in the Belait District; no babies were born in the Tutong and Temburong districts.

To celebrate the birth of the newborns, a special thanksgiving ceremony in conjunction with the celebration of the 71st birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was held at the Seminar Room of the Women and Children’s Centre of RIPAS Hospital yesterday.

The hampers, baby products and certificates were handed to the parents by the guest of honour Datin Paduka Hajah Jahrah binti Haji Mohammad, the spouse of the Minister of Home Affairs, while Datin Hajah Khalsom binti Haji Suhaili, the spouse of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports presented the gifts from TAIB.

Also present at the ceremony were Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Maslina binti Haji Mohsin, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Professional) at the Ministry of Health, as well as spouses of the permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health.

The first baby born on July 15 was a male at 1.18am at Suri Seri Begawan Hospital. His parents are Norazaneda binti Haji Sabli and Azizi bin Haji Razali. The last baby was born at RIPAS Hospital at 11.15pm. His parents are Nuraini binti Wahab and Muhammad Kamarul Azharie bin Haji Bohari.

In the Belait District, hampers and gifts were presented by Suraya binti Haji Mohd Salleh, spouse of the Belait District Officer, while the TAIB savings accounts were handed over by Zamzaipa binti Haji Ismail, Assistant General Manager of TAIB.